Three Timely Tips to Stay Ahead of the WeatherThree Timely Tips to Stay Ahead of the Weather

May 22, 2020

Information is power, especially when it comes to making good decisions for your flight. But knowing where to find that information isn’t always easy. With that in mind, here are three tricky situations you’ll want to think through ahead of time. Read through the scenarios below, think through your options, then click the links to join the conversation.

Looks like the rain you were planning to fly through is turning to super cooled water droplets and ice and snow! Can you get above the icing on your route? What are some ways to keep an eye on cloud tops along your route?

Knowing the height as well as the speed and direction of the weather provides you with guidance so you know the areas and altitudes to avoid along your route, allowing you to stay at a safe distance.

ADS-B/FIS-B provides forecasted Cloud Tops from a numerical weather prediction model. Because SiriusXM Cloud Tops are based on observational data, ADS-B/FIS-B forecasted data will never be as accurate, especially for convective cloud tops as you prepare for summer flying.

What does this mean for you? Think through your options, then click here to join the conversation.

SCENARIO #2: How do I check the weather at a remote fuel stop?

You’re on the ground for a fuel stop at a non-towered airport with no cellphone service. How can you check the weather in this situation?

That’s a tough spot for a pilot. An RCO or GCO to flight service might be your best hope. If there are other aircraft nearby they may be able to relay. If you have an ADS-B receiver you could try that on the ground. At most GA airports the ADS-B/FIS-B broadcast can’t be received until well above the traffic pattern. SiriusXM Aviation Weather is a satellite delivered service and is available at any altitude, including when parked on the ramp and during taxi.

SCENARIO #3: Am I going to go through heavy rain at this altitude?

You’re a VFR pilot flying under an overcast layer. Will the rain ahead reduce your visibility, or is it at higher altitudes?

The Composite image on the right is what you’d see if you have ADS-B In weather. But how can you tell if the heavier yellow and orange rain is reaching the ground?

The Base Reflectivity Radar on the left is from SiriusXM. It shows the lowest tilt and lets you know what precipitation is coming out of the bottom of the storm cell and is especially beneficial if you want to see what is impacting your destination airport. The lowest tilt more closely matches what you are seeing outside of the cockpit when flying under 10,000 ft.

This is one situation you’ll want to have thought through ahead of time. Do you know all your options? Click here to join the conversation.

Want to try SiriusXM Aviation Weather for yourself in scenarios like these?

SiriusXM Aviation

SiriusXM’s satellite-delivered weather is always available inflight with no altitude limitations or line-of-sight restrictions. Its coast-to-coast, high-resolution radar and weather features update faster than ADS-B making it the best choice for VFR pilots. To receive a two month trial of SiriusXM Aviation Weather and Entertainment or learn more about other SiriusXM offers, please go to aopa.org/siriusxm.